Over the years, Kashmir has been home to numerous voluntary groups dedicated to animal welfare. They rescue animals, treat and shelter them while spreading awareness about why coexistence is vital to human traits, reports Babra Wani
In 2022, Faiqa faced the devastating loss of her beloved kitten due to medical negligence. However, even before this, she had embarked on a mission to improve the lives of animals in her local community. Faiqa Riyaz Wani, a resident of Anantnag, has dedicated herself to animal welfare since 2020, alongside her friend.
Despite her genuine concern and efforts, Faiqa often faced harsh criticism from people who failed to comprehend her love for animals. Nevertheless, she also received widespread appreciation for her unwavering commitment. She remained resolute, fully aware that she would do whatever it took to ensure the well-being of animals.
Faiqa’s friend, Beenish, shared her profound affection for animals. While pursuing a master’s in English at the University of Kashmir, she observed a significant population of dogs on the campus. Motivated by her compassionate nature, Beenish took it upon herself to provide food for these dogs. However, her actions did not go unquestioned, leading her to raise her voice in their defence.
In collaboration with some of her classmates and acquaintances, Beenish formed a student committee and initiated contact with the Srinagar Municipal Committee (SMC). Together, they started sterilizing the campus pariahs. As a result of their tireless efforts, they successfully sterilized approximately 22 dogs, a remarkable accomplishment.
The passion and unwavering devotion demonstrated by these two remarkable women eventually gave rise to Animal Aid Kashmir in 2020, a rescue organisation they both selflessly work for. Despite being students, they dedicate their time, money, and energy to support the needs of animals. “Having witnessed numerous cases of cruelty in the past, we felt compelled to establish an animal welfare group that could address basic issues, raise awareness among the younger generation, and educate the masses about animal rights,” Faiqa explained.
Societal Deficits
Faiqa’s personal experience of losing her pet due to medical negligence made her acutely aware of the deficiencies in Kashmir’s animal care system. Through her group, she endeavours to address these deficits. Highlighting the lack of adequate facilities for animal treatment in Kashmir’s veterinary hospitals, she said in Anantnag, basic amenities like sterilization services and shelters for large animals are non-existent. The municipality even lacks dog-catching nets, leading to immense suffering for injured animals. “We don’t even have an ambulance to transport animals.”
The two young women firmly believe that advocating for animal rights not only improves the lives of animals but also fosters a more compassionate and empathetic society as a whole. Through their foundation, they have created a more inclusive environment for harmonious human-animal coexistence.
Animal Aid Kashmir consists of 17 individuals who collectively feed, rescue, foster, and provide medical assistance to animals in need, with a particular focus on cats, dogs, and horses. Their efforts extend not only to Anantnag but to other parts of Kashmir too. Besides, they utilise social networking platforms to facilitate the adoption of stray or rescued animals. In 2023, the persistent efforts of the duo resulted in the establishment of a separate outpatient department (OPD) for stray animals at Anantnag’s District Veterinary Hospital.
Stray World
At just fourteen years old, Seerat began her journey of caring for animals while battling depression. In 2019, she embarked on this mission as an individual. However, over time, eight more teenagers joined this Bemina resident in Srinagar out of their shared love for animals, giving rise to Stray World.
“Initially, I started by feeding animals, but it took me two years to realise that there are NGOs dedicated to this cause,” she explained. Seeking assistance, she approached these organisations and eventually founded her own. “We may not have a large team, but with our limited resources, we strive to do whatever we can.”
Seerat is disappointed with the government’s approach toward animals and society’s intolerance toward stray animals. Her group focuses on rescuing animals, addressing their medical needs, and providing shelter. Currently, there is only one shelter in Tengpora, operated by Animal Rescue Kashmir, a registered NGO, where all the rescued animals are housed. “Due to space limitations, we always explore alternative options to accommodate the animals we rescue.”.
As a student, Seerat often experiences feelings of guilt due to limited financial resources. “If only I had enough money, I would do much more than what I am currently able to do. However, as a student still dependent on my parents, I rely on my own pocket money and occasionally receive assistance from other NGOs,” she shared.
Nafiya’s Hope
Nafiya Ashraf Wani, a professional lawyer and an ardent animal rescuer, resides in Baramulla town. While she practices law at the local Court, her passion lies in advocating for animals. She describes herself as “an animal lover by birth.” Nafiya’s journey in animal welfare began almost 14 years ago when a cat gave birth to four kittens at her home. “Since then, I have been involved in feeding, rescuing, and providing care to animals. I started as a teenager, and now I’m 29,” Nafiya shared.
Four years ago, Nafiya, along with four like-minded individuals, established Hope Baramulla after witnessing acts of cruelty against animals. “Our primary goal was to create awareness about animal rights among the masses in Baramulla. We aimed to educate people on how to treat animals,” she said. Her group began responding to rescue calls through their social media platforms, particularly Twitter.
Nafiya primarily handles the animal rescue calls on her own, dedicating her time and effort to these endeavours. Besides, Hope Baramulla facilitates animal adoptions. However, they have specific criteria in place. “We only consider individuals who are 18 years or older for adoption. We prioritise evaluating the families and their home environment. Moreover, we have a strict policy of not placing animals in households with children,” Nafiya added.
The ASR
Simran Rafiq Baba, a Srinagar’s Rambagh resident and a dedicated Psychology student, embarked on her animal rescue journey in 2019 when she came to the aid of an expecting cat. Simran is part of ASR – Animal Salvation and Relief Kashmir, a devoted team founded in 2022, which is focused on rescuing and caring for cats and kittens.
Currently comprising eight members, each member has a specific role within the group. Two members handle rescues, while others are responsible for adoptions, post-adoption support, food and medicine provision, and managing social media and funding. Notably, the group is predominantly led by women, with only one male member.
For most of the rescues, ASR members take the animals into their own homes. However, there are instances when people offer to foster the animals, which provides additional support. Simran emphasised, “The willingness of people to foster these animals is truly heartening.”
Simran’s dedication to animal rescue extends beyond her studies, as she spends countless hours ensuring the well-being of these vulnerable creatures. “It can be overwhelming at times, but the reward of seeing these animals find loving homes is immeasurable,” she said.
KAWF
In Kashmir, two registered NGOs, KAWF (Kashmir Animal Welfare Foundation) and ARK (Animal Rescue Kashmir), are working tirelessly to protect and support animals in need.
KAWF, founded by Asma Noor Sheikh and her friends Sana Banday and Nighat Lone, was launched in 2016 and officially registered in 2018. Asma, currently based in Delhi as a project consultant, oversees the foundation’s operations remotely. In Kashmir, a dedicated team of volunteers relentlessly carries out rescue operations under her guidance. With a decade of experience in animal welfare, Asma and Nighat initiated KAWF to provide a platform for individuals who share a passion for animal welfare. From a humble team of two or three people, KAWF has grown steadily, now boasting a dedicated volunteer base of 50 to 80 individuals.
Even during the challenging COVID-19 lockdown, the KAWF team ensured that stray animals were fed. “Given the increasing population of dogs, our teams made every effort to feed as many as possible during those difficult times,” Asma explained.
KAWF not only conducts rescues but also collaborates with other animal welfare organisations, assisting with rehabilitation, feeding, adoptions, medical treatments, and more. Asma and Nighat asserted their commitment to finding shelters or lifetime sanctuaries for animals they cannot accommodate within Kashmir, often sending dogs to cities like Delhi or Pune and horses to the SMC premises. However, they acknowledged the absence of concrete solutions to address this ongoing challenge.
Managing a monthly expense of nearly one lakh rupees, KAWF relies on a combination of personal contributions and donations. Asma and Nighat expressed gratitude for the support received when campaigns or posts are shared, but they noted that regular funding remains a challenge.
To effectively manage animal welfare across different districts, KAWF maintains a network of volunteers who handle animals in their respective areas. Asma and Nighat highlighted the collaborative nature of their work. “It’s a collective effort that brings us together.” The group employs three permanent staff members who receive regular pay.
Rescuing the Voiceless
ARK (Animal Rescue Kashmir), founded by Mohammad Dawood and his wife Mariya Mushtaq, is another registered group dedicated to animal rescues since 2018. Officially registered in 2020, ARK was born out of the couple’s firsthand experience witnessing the plight of abandoned and sick animals upon their return from London in 2017. Dawood’s motivation to take action stemmed from a realisation that waiting for someone else’s initiative would not bring about the necessary change. Since its inception, ARK has successfully rescued over 3700 animals, with the majority being dogs.
To provide a temporary shelter for rescued animals, ARK collaborates unofficially with the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) at Tengpora. However, Dawood acknowledged that the space is insufficient to accommodate all the animals, prompting him to keep smaller animals like puppies and kittens at his workplace.
Dawood personally covers the majority of the expenses, with only 20 per cent of funding coming from donations. ARK currently operates with six employees and relies on the support of numerous volunteers. Their single ambulance acquired through an international award, enables them to carry out three to five rescues daily.
Before placing animals up for adoption, ARK ensures that prospective families are thoroughly assessed and well-informed. This thorough vetting process guarantees that the animals find loving and suitable homes.
Challenges in Animal Welfare
Dawood said rescuing larger animals like horses has always posed challenges due to limited space and financial constraints. From 2019 to 2021, ARK faced a significant influx of injured horses. “Due to a decline in tourism following the abrogation of Article and subsequently the impact of Covid-19, horses were left unattended by their owners,” Dawood said. “Many of them wandered into the city streets and roads, becoming vulnerable to accidents.” However, he felt reassured after the situation improved since 2022 when restrictions were lifted, resulting in a significant decrease in large animal rescues.
Dawood shared that approximately 300 horses have been rescued and treated thus far. The organisation has diligently worked towards rehabilitating these majestic creatures and providing them with the necessary medical care.
Let’s Co-exist
Individuals involved in animal welfare share a common belief: that both at the individual and community level, it is crucial for people to understand the concept of coexistence. They assert that incidents such as dog bites or animal attacks can be prevented or minimised if people begin to feed stray animals and treat them with kindness, thereby reducing the likelihood of hostile behaviour.
In a major event in Jammu and Kashmir, various groups and individuals joined forces to organise the Let’s Co-exist programme on June 1, 2023. It garnered significant attention and was attended by sensitive sections of the system and society thus helping promote awareness and foster a collective commitment to peaceful coexistence between humans and animals.
Against All Odds
Animal rescuers face not only judgment and criticism from society but also harassment, sometimes even from their own family and friends. The lack of financial support emerges as their most challenging obstacle, as they grapple with insufficient funds and donations.
Another pressing issue is the scarcity of spaces, shelters, and transportation facilities. While registered NGOs possess their small shelters, non-registered ones must either seek assistance from registered groups or rent accommodations for the animals. Rehabilitating smaller animals poses fewer difficulties, but accommodating horses abandoned due to injury or illness proves more challenging for all.
ASR’s Simran highlighted the lack of manpower as a significant concern, asserting the need for more volunteers to support their cause. Besides, these groups struggle with the absence of governmental aid or support, further adding to their challenges.
Despite these obstacles, the unwavering determination and resilience of these animal welfare groups and individuals persist. Their crucial work continues, undeterred by adversity.
